Champagne: Reims to the Côte des Blancs

Route description

Begin in Reims with the cathedral of the kings, the Palais du Tau and one of the great champagne houses whose cellars run through old chalk pits beneath the city. Then take the D951 south onto the wooded Montagne de Reims.

Turn off to Verzenay, where a lighthouse stands among the vines and a windmill crowns the hill. Wine-village roads lead round the hill to Hautvillers, where Dom Pérignon was cellar master and is buried in the abbey church, and down to the Marne.

Épernay’s Avenue de Champagne is lined with the mansions of the big houses, above kilometres of cellars. South of the town the Côte des Blancs is planted almost entirely with Chardonnay; Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and its neighbours are small, grand cru villages with family growers.

Many growers welcome visitors, but it is best to call ahead. The route works all year and harvest time in September is lively; there are aires for motorhomes in Épernay and several wine villages.